New Year

Oh wow, what just happened? One minute I was still shopping for Christmas gifts and the next minute, it’s already the 3rd of January. In 2019.

I had planned to blog more often — which obviously didn’t come to fruition — but I still have so much to say so here I am! I wasn’t even able to write about the big decision that I made towards the last quarter of 2018. Since I haven’t given up on writing that post, I won’t go into details here.

Now, 2019. Hello, hello! I think 2018 was quite a rollercoaster of a year for me. There were a lot of big things that happened, a lot of highlights here and there, and I’m very grateful for everything that has happened. I can’t wait to write about the highlights of my 2018 given that I wasn’t able to blog much!

Although it’s fun to write a list of New Year’s resolutions, I find that deciding on One Word to focus on for the rest of the year is much more helpful for me. This is something that I have done every year since 2016 (my 4th year now!) and it’s amazing that each One Word pretty much spoke for the year they represent. Continue Reading

I started choosing a One Word for the year back when the year 2015 was ending. I discovered it from co-bloggers blogging about their One Words and thought it was a great idea.

In my experience, it works in such a way that it is so much easier to remember a single word than a list of resolutions. Right? For example, my One Word for the year 2016 was Commit. Throughout the important changes that transpired that year, I remembered that single word, which became my driving force to commit and remain steadfast in my beliefs. That year also turned out to be the year Job flew to KSA to work, which made my One Word accurate.

When 2017 came, my One Word was Push. 2017 was a very steady year and I can’t say that there were a lot of changes that happened. However, what happened was God blessed me in the aspects that were already present in my life — even when I didn’t deserve it. Thank you Lord! I celebrated my second year in Stay At Home Mum and was made Operations Manager, which means more responsibilities lol. No complaints! This was also the year I got serious again about our finances. And Yuri also started formal schooling, which pushed me to become a better mother. I failed a lot, but my One Word reminded me that I need to keep on pushing.

For 2018, my One Word is…

Move.

Two aspects. First, the literal meaning of Move. I literally need to move haha! Seriously, though, even though I have been watchful of what I eat, I still lack physical exercise. My schedule is full, but I am sure I can spare even 15 minutes of exercise each day. After all, my elliptical bike is just there in the living room and has been there since 2016. I should have had muscles of steel already if I just used it everyday lol. I already have the means (elliptical bike + free zumba lessons in the community twice a week), I just need to have the self-discipline to actually do it!

Second is the metaphorical Move. I feel like I’ve been in my comfort zone for too long. I stopped driving this year because I prefer being in the passenger seat — and I realized that applies to my own life, too. I stopped being in charge of my life. Oh yes, I did things, I initiated stuff, and I never really felt out of control. However, I stopped trying new things and taking risks. I settled for whatever was nakasanayan na and I let things happen to me instead of making things happen.

In short, if I look at it at a good way, 2017 was, again, a very steady year. If I charted 2017, it would appear to have a steady line that rises ever so slightly. It’s good but there’s very minimal movement — every day was more or less the same.

And if I look at it at a bad way, my 2017 was a passive year. I pushed forward but I didn’t really grow. I am very thankful for the blessings I have received, but I need to change some things.

I have no idea what’s in store for me this year (then again, who has?), but I feel like this is the year when I need to go out of my comfort zone and just move.

Happy new year, everyone! My 11-day holiday break is finally coming to an end! Here are the things I planned to do but, of course, didn’t:

Write a year’s worth of blogs

Update my blog’s look

Plan a new morning routine for 2018

Take pictures of the clothes I’m no longer wearing and sell them

Take Yuri on a date or do science experiments

Update the look of my home office

Lose 15 pounds

Perhaps I don’t need to say that I feel like a failure lol. But I am trying to be kinder to myself, to realize that while I am not able to do everything I think I need to do, I am still trying. That I’m only a failure when I stop trying.

Before I proceed, let me say thank you to the best bosses in the world for giving us a long break! Please visit our website: Stay At Home Mum.

It’s true that I could have done so much more during my vacation. I could have done science experiments with my son, rearranged the furniture, tried new recipes, become a real estate superstar… I could have rested more and watched an entire KDrama or two!

By the way, I wasn’t even able to write about our Christmas celebration. To be fair, because of our hectic schedules, we didn’t go all out on decor this year. Only your standard Christmas tree and Christmas ornaments on our shelves. No lights because they take effort to put up and even more effort to take down hehe. We also didn’t have a formal sit-down Noche Buena. Instead, we had a street party with our friends and neighbours.

At our Christmas street party, wearing my new Ever Bilena Toast of New York lippie hehe and the matching shirts our neighbors/friends worked on

What we lacked in decor and formalities though, we made up for gifts. I saved up a bit before Christmas and spent it all on gifts and Christmas stuff. For someone like me whose love language is gifts, Christmas truly is a special season. Yuri had the lion’s share of the presents, of course. Kids do have the best Christmases! I received a few gifts myself, both from friends and family. Thank you! Continue Reading

This is officially my first post for the year since my last one, the long one about 50 questions and answers (which you seriously need to try because I had so much fun answering it) was written just before the clock struck 12.

Anyway, hi! I subjected myself into an unplanned hiatus because, despite the long days without work (had a grand total of 5 non-working days this season yay!), I just didn’t have time to even check my blog, let alone write. Despite choosing not to go to a lot of Christmas parties, this was my busiest Christmas season yet because of all the guests and gatherings that we had. I had loads of fun but I was actually kinda thankful it’s over. We survived, lol!

Now that I have free time again, time to think and time to write, it’s time to get blogging again. And what else would be a more fitting first-of-the-year post than the One Word?

Everyone, my One Word for 2017:

It’s Push.

I was a bit hesitant to use this word because it is a very widely used slang word, which is sometimes used negatively (read: push mo yan teh said in sarcasm). I even considered using another word, but it’s just not the same. The word “push” just called out to me, and from the moment I thought about it, I knew it was my One Word for 2017.

It’s currently 11 pm where I am. I’m in the living room with Yuri soundly sleeping beside me, and we’re both huddled in blankets because it’s one cold night!

It’s a lot quieter tonight compared to last week, during Christmas eve, where we entertained over 30 guests – a colourful mix of relatives, friends, and neighbours – here at home. But while it was a fun celebration, this quieter one is a welcome change. Honestly, this is how I’d love to spend the last night of 2016: quiet, comfortable, and engaged in meaningful conversations with my loved ones.

Speaking of meaningful conversations, I saw this year-end post in Thought Catalog weeks ago and I just knew I had to answer the 50 questions as I bid 2016 good bye. Here we go.

1. What made you feel the most alive this year?

I’m not sure how to answer this question as the times I don’t feel alive are very rare. Probably the most memorable thing to happen to me this year is our family’s semi-reunion this Christmas. We don’t see our relatives often because they live in different parts of the country, so being with them is always special!

2. How did you surprise yourself in 2016?

For starters, I learned a lot of things this year! I got immersed in a couple of new hobbies: calligraphy/brush lettering and creative planning. I also learned how to drive! Although I don’t drive a lot (I still prefer to have my kuya drive me around haha), I wear my driver’s license like a badge of honour.

3. What did you do this year that you regret?

I regret not watching what I ate and not working out, like, almost at all. Now I’m suffering the consequences (read: nothing in my closet fits…)

4. What made you cry the hardest this year?

Job’s health scare, which, thankfully (as in thank you, thank you Lord) remained to be a health scare that must be forgotten and locked away.

5. Which friends have been there for you the most in 2016?

Everyone close to my heart has been there for me for most of 2016! My college barkada, Superfriends, George, JM, Hazel, and Christine, who are always present in my life despite the distance. And my workmates, the dream team, the bestest girls to work with like ever, Lenz, Jona, Sarah, Xeng, and Yankee (special mention: Julie and Macy!).

6. What are you most grateful for as this year draws to a close?

I am grateful for the people in my life. Job, Yuri, my family, my friends, my colleagues, my neighbours, everyone. God put all of them in my life and made it a hundred times better.

7. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?

How was your first week of easing back into normalcy? I guess it’s safe to say we have all settled back into our regular routines and tasks?

Or maybe not. Haha!

During my short vacation (I haven’t had a paid vacation in four years! Thank you Lord!), I had time to think about what I really want to see and accomplish this year. I know a lot of other bloggers blog about their word for the year. I’ve wanted to do that, too, but had never found the time to sit and really think about it (because, again, as a freelancer, I used to have no paid leave at all). Now that I had time, I thought about 2016 and what it means to me.

And I realised that, based on the decisions and changes my family, my partner, and I made during the last part of 2015, 2016 should be a year of:

2016 is my year of Commitment

1. A commitment to God and becoming a better Christian

2. A commitment to an even stronger relationship with Job despite the big changes looming in the horizon

3. A commitment to my family no matter what happens and a commitment to becoming a better mother to Yuri (preschool, here we come!)

4. A commitment to remain a person of integrity in the workplace, whether in Stay At Home Mum or in the real estate industry

5. A commitment to be more available for my dearest friends, old and new

6. And a commitment to taking care of myself in all aspects

Last year, there were a lot of things, a lot of transitions, and I’m sure there will be more changes coming this year but I am committed to keeping my faith, the most important people to me, and myself despite the changes. I think I have already spent the last couple of years changing, improving, excelling that what I want to do the most now is hold on to the basics of my being, the simple things that make me me.

This year, no matter how my life changes, I’m committed to keeping my core intact.

There’s no such thing as an empty year I’m sure, but my 2015 has been filled with so many things, a few bad while everything else wonderful. I’ve been so busy throughout the year that I barely had time to write in my journal – – I say that regretfully.

I could go as far as saying that a lot more things happened this year than 2013 and 2014 combined. These are 15 handpicked highlights of my totally awesome year:

1. JANUARY: I weaned Yuri from breastfeeding. That was a tough decision to make but I felt like it was time. I felt guilty but had to remind myself that, hey, almost 3 years of breastfeeding ain’t bad at all.

2. FEBRUARY: I went back to “school” to become a real estate broker. That was a great decision; I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and and met wonderful people who are now my friends!

Me, third from the left

3. MARCH: I, together with my immediate family, my cousins, and some friends explored Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Manila, and Cavite for the first time. During the same trip, I volunteered to stay back in Vigan because of a nasty for poisoning and and got to explore the historic city on my own.

At Vigan

4. MARCH: I finally left my freelancing job (I had a dilemma about this nearing the end of 2014 because the new administrative changes no longer make the job worth it – – and I couldn’t even ask for an employment certificate since I am not “employed” after working with that group for 4 years). Continue Reading